October 11, 2009

Stand up and stand out to compete in today’s tough job market

Optimize your impact by making each and every job search marketing communication value added and memorable.

Value added means focusing on “WIIFT” - what’s in it for THEM. How will you improve the bottom line of the company you’re targeting?

Making it memorable is about your personal brand. Do you know your brand? How can you convey your value proposition in a distinctive way?

What is your personal-professional philosophy for business success? For which qualities, achievements and strengths are you best known in the workplace? Do you have a motto, or a tag line? How would you describe yourself based on one noun, e.g., expert, arbitrator, collaborator, diplomat, architect, builder, diagnoser, director, enforcer, motivator, re-inventor, conceptualizer … ? What’s your greatest professional achievement? What are your most impressive career metrics?

“Good morning, I’m Taylor Z. Hoffstetter. We spoke early last week. I’m the intrapreneur who grew web retailer FGH from zero to a high-profit $560M in 2 years and orchestrated the IPO. I specialize in growing and positioning startups. When may I meet with your client, RST Inc.?”

“Good afternoon, I’m Kelly Q. Kraemer. You have my resume. I’m the synergizer who merged ABC and XYZ companies’ ordering systems, creating a Web 3.0 approach to propel the customer experience and marketing intelligence into a new realm. I’d like to optimize your post-merger IT operations.”

Focus on “WIIFT.” Be original, energetic and confident in all of your job search marketing communications - it’s contagious.